Philippines global operator wins $550 million port tender in Melbourne

MANILA – Philippines-headquartered International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and Anglo Ports, through its Australian subsidiary, Victoria International Container Terminal Limited (VICTL), have won a tender with Port of Melbourne Corporation for the design, construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance and financing of the Port’s new international container terminal and empty container park at Webb Dock.

The project marks ICTSI’s entry into Australia, and extends ICTSI’s portfolio of managed ports to 30 terminals across six continents. 

VICTL is 90% owned by ICTSI, alongside its Australian partner, Anglo Ports Pty Limited. The lease concession at Webb Dock extends until 2040, which ICTSI says enables a competitive platform for development of its Australian business.

Phase 1 of the terminal will be ready for operation in 2016. The terminal will be able to handle vessels with a capacity of up to 8,000 TEUs. Investment for full development of the Webb Dck Container Terminal is estimated at AUD500 million.

Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI’s Head of the Asia-Pacific region, said Melbourne represents a major milestone for ICTSI, “not only because it is our first concession in Oceania, but also because it establishes us as one of very few truly global operators with facilities on six continents”.

Victoria’s Minister for Ports, David Hodgett, said the entry of ICTSI into Australia means there will now be three port operators in Melbourne and four in Australia, promoting increased competition in shipping. www.ictsi.com (ATI).